Hair Loss Slideshow Pictures Hair and Scalp Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Gary W. Cole, MD

Gary W. Cole, MD

Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.

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Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Follow-up

During treatment for hair loss, you can expect to return to the doctor periodically to determine the response to treatment and to monitor for side effects from the medications being used.

Hair Loss Prevention

Prevention can be accomplished only by early treatment. Sometimes what you think may be hair loss is actually just hair breakage from overuse of hair dryers, curling irons, dyes, and styling products.

Hair Loss Prognosis

The ability to stop hair loss most often depends on the underlying cause.

• If taking a certain medication was the cause, stopping the medication would stop the hair loss.



• The most common type of hair loss, androgenic alopecia, usually follows a pattern with hair thinning in the front of the scalp first and progressing on to involve the back and top of the head. This type tends to be progressive but characteristically waxes and wanes.



• Finasteride helps stop hair loss in about 60% of men, and minoxidil decreases hair loss in about 50% of men and women.



• The best prevention of hair loss is early treatment. Research has shown that minoxidil is most useful for people who have been losing hair for less than five years.



• A doctor who can help determine if the medications are working and who can watch for side effects of the medications should follow up with people who are being treated with minoxidil or finasteride.